Holder for washing machines and the like



Sept. 5, 1933. R GARDNER 1,925,871

HOLDER FOR WASHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 11, 1952 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 5, 1933 Arts HGLDER FOR WASHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Ralph T. Gardner, Carnegie Borough, Pa. 1

Application February 11, 1932.

2 Claims.

Power washing machines, for instance those designed for domestic use, are usually operated by either electric, internal combustion or water motors, which motors are mounted on the frame or some other portion of the washing machine.

The operation of the motor causes more or less vibration of the machine, and where the machine is positioned against a stationary tub or other fixed object, the machine hammers against the latter and is liable to be moved out of such proximity.

Thus when the washing machine is arranged so that the clothes may be wrung fromthe receptacle into a tub or from one tub to another, the operation of the motor in driving the wringer tends to cause the machine to back away from the tub. so that the water falls on the floor, caus ing the footing to be insecure and rendering the floor wet. This tendency of the machine to back away is increased when the floor is not exactly level.

Again, the hammering of the machine against the tub or other object fixed relative to the machine causes a vibration and noise to be noticeable throughout the house.

Among the objects which I have in view is the provision of convenient and readily applicable and removable means for holding the washing machine in place against a stationary tub or other fixed object.

Another object is the provision of such means as will absorb at least the larger part of the vibration and thus prevent the machine from hammering against the tub while the motor is in operation.

For these and other purposes I provide a flexible connector which is detachably connected to the tub or other fixed object and to the washing machine and which is provided with. a resilient portion or portions which assume the vibration which would otherwise be transferred from the washing machine to the tub.

In the accompanying drawing wherein I have illustrated a practical embodiment of the principles of my invention, Fig. l is a side elevation of a washing machine held by means of my invention against a stationary tub which is shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a front View of the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of the preferred form of my holder.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a circular washing machine held against a tub and also illustrating a modified form of fastener for the ends of the holder.

Serial No. 592,300

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing two short holders in use instead of a single fastener which passes around the machine.

Fig. 6 is a broken view of a modified form of my holder.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, 1 represents the receptacle of the washing machine which is supported by the frame 2. 3 is the electric motor for driving the mechanism shown mounted on the frame. 4 represents the wringer also driven by the motor and pivotally mounted so as to be swung into proper position, either to wring the clothes from the receptacle 1 into one of the tubs or from one tub to the other, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

5 represents the tubs which are shown supported by a base 6 formed of angle iron with their vertical flanges depending and supported by the legs 7.

My improved holder comprises an intermediate portion which is flexible but non-elastic, and has a relatively soft outer surface or covering which will not scratch or mar the surfaces with which it is held in contact. Thus I may form the body of the holder from a metal chain 8 and provide it with an outer covering 9 which may be conveniently a length of rubber tubing of proper diameter to be slipped over the chain.

To each end of the chain is attached a resilient element such as a closely wound helical spring 10 and to the outer ends of the spring are attached suitable fasteners.

If desired the entire holder may be made of a closely wound helical spring, but I prefer to form the body or intermediate portion of the holder of non-elastic material.

In use the holder is passed around the machine, as for instance around the frame 2, and the fasteners are connected to the base 6, or some other convenient portion of the stationary tub, the holder being of proper length so that the springs 10will be somewhat extended when the fasteners are engaged.

As a convenient form of fastener I show in Figs. 1 and 3 a clamp comprising a bar 11 hav ing an eye 12 at one end for connecting the clamp to the outer end of the spring 10. The other end of the bar 11 is provided with an angularly disposed fixed jaw 13. 1% represents a stand fixed relative to the bar 11 intermediate of the ends of the latter, and 15 represents a handle-lever pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on said stand 14 and having its outer end pivotally connected to one leg of the angular movable jaw 16. The jaw 16 is provided with a face 17 which is substantially parallel to the clamping face of the fixed jaw 13 and the face 17 is preferably provided with a facing or pad 18 of rubber or other resilient material. The contact faces of both jaws are preferably serrated to obtain a better gripping effect.

The arrangement of the parts is such that when the free end of the lever 15 is moved to-' wards-the bar 11, as shown in Fig. 3, the movable jaw is moved toward the fixed jaw, thus clamping between them an interposed object, such as the depending flange of the front bar of the base 6. There is no danger of the movable jaw accidentally backing away from the fixed jaw and thus releasing the flange, because an outward thrust or jar exerted on the movable jaw would tend to elevate the adjacent end of the handle-lever.

By causing the free end of the handle to bear on the bar 11 when the fastener is closed, the fastener will be locked closed and may be released only by manually pulling the free end of the handle-lever away from the bar.- It: is, evident that these clamps connected to the ends of the cir ul ece ta e d, th olde i extended ar un th rec ptac ns ead of ar u d h machine frame. In this case I also show simple h oks 19 substi uted for the c amps above des ri d, such. oelgs bein at a d to h oute ends, of the springs 10 and engaging eye-bolts 20 fixed to the tub. In Fig. 5 I show eye-bolts 20 fixed to the tub and also to either side of the washing machine, and short holders comprising wires 21, helical springs 22 and end hooks 19 connecting the eye-bolt on the tub with the eye-bolts on the washing machine at either side.

In Fig. 6 I show the holder formed of a wire cable 23 encased in the soft outer covering 9.

It is evident from the foregoing that my improved holder is effective in maintaining the Washing machine in proper position against the tubs or other fixed objects and that the hammer of the washing machine against the tub or other object is substantially prevented.

My device is inexpensive and durable and can be conveniently used by any person, being quickly attached or removed as necessity may dictate.

I claim:-

1. The combination with a washing machine and a washing tub; or" means for securing said tub to said machine comprising a member encircling the tub, resilient means attached to opposite ends of said member, and means engaging said resilient means and detachably connected to the tub.

V 2. The combination with a washing machine and a washing tub; of means to hold the machine against the tub including a pair of clamp members each comprising a bar provided with a jaw extending from one end and lateral thereto, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said bar, a jaw movable along the bar and having one part parallel to the first jaw and its other. part pivoted to the outer end of 'eaid lever, said first jaw and the movable jaw of each clamp being adapted to engage an edge portion of the tub, and means including resilient 'portions connecting said clamps and adapted to extend around the machine.

RALPH T. GARDNER. 

